Wayzata, MN – The Wayzata Planning Commission has voted to recommend approval of Lake West Development’s proposal to redevelop the long-vacant TCF Bank site at 200 Lake Street East, with a key condition: the building’s massing breaks must be brought into compliance with city design standards.
At a well-attended public hearing on March 18, commissioners reviewed detailed presentations from city staff and the development team, heard from nearby residents and community members, and deliberated over the plan’s merits and areas of concern.
A New Vision for a Prominent Site
Developer Curt Fretham, owner of Lake West Development, opened the presentation by acknowledging the long road to this moment. “Although this development approval process has been lengthy,” Fretham said, “we remain enthusiastic about this redevelopment.”
Kelsey Thompson, Development Director for Lake West, emphasized the project’s goal of revitalizing a blighted property with a vibrant, mixed-use design. “This building has been sitting vacant for over half a decade,” Thompson said. “It’s full of mold and beyond reasonable repair. This project transforms that blighted property into a place where people can gather, interact, and enjoy Wayzata’s charm.”
The proposed development—called Landmark Wayzata—includes 50 condominium units, first-floor commercial space, underground and surface parking, public parks, covered viewing plazas, and significant environmental remediation. It exceeds open space requirements and integrates stormwater infrastructure to protect Lake Minnetonka.
Staff Report: Project Complies—With One Exception
Planner Val Quarles outlined the city’s staff report, noting that the project complies with zoning, density, and design requirements—except for two of the five proposed massing breaks. While the design includes five ground-level openings along the building’s 760-foot length, staff determined that only three provide the clear public views from the street to Lake Minnetonka as required by city code.
“Our code asks for massing breaks to offer views from the public street,” Quarles explained. “Two of these breaks—between cores A2 and A3 and between A3 and A4—do not meet that standard, primarily due to overbuild above the openings.”
These massing breaks, Quarles noted, are intended not only for aesthetics but to provide visual and potential physical access to the lake from the downtown core.
Public Weighs In
During the public hearing, attorney Darren Knight, representing the Zitzloff Condominiums across the street at 201 East Lake Street, urged the Commission to require all five massing breaks to be open from ground to sky.
“This building spans two full city blocks,” Knight said. “We believe the city’s design standards should apply consistently. Our development across the street had to meet these same expectations.”
In contrast, Kevin Sullivan and Michelle White, representing the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, spoke in favor of the project. They expressed interest in collaborating with the developer and city on commemorative public art installations timed with the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
“We think it would be fantastic for Wayzata to represent Minnesota in this national initiative,” Sullivan said.
Commission Deliberates and Seeks Compromise
Commissioners praised the architectural quality, walkability, and creativity of the design but agreed with staff that the two massing breaks in question must be revised. Several emphasized that ground-to-sky breaks are necessary not only for views of the lake but for maintaining Wayzata’s small-town character.
“One long facade from end to end doesn’t meet the intent of our design standards,” one commissioner noted. “Those breaks bring light, sky, and a sense of openness. They’re essential.”
After confirming that the rest of the application—including density, shoreline impact, parking, and tree preservation—met city requirements, the Commission crafted a motion.
Unanimous Vote with Key Condition
The Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning amendment, concept plan, general plan, and related permits—with the condition that the two noncompliant massing breaks be redesigned to comply fully with city code.
“This is a beautiful, thoughtful project,” said one commissioner. “It will revitalize the west end of Lake Street. But we have to get the massing breaks right.”
The recommendation will now move forward to the Wayzata City Council for review and final consideration.
